This firsthand experience outlines the Spain Non Lucrative Visa application process through the Edinburgh consulate in June 2025.
“Yesterday we went to BLS Edinburgh. Overall a pretty painless experience.
We had done all the paperwork ourselves rather than use a company.
Arrived early, as suggested, parked in the Aldi car park (1.5hrs limit for free) and walked across the road to the office and sat in the waiting area.
Lots of young Asians there which we assumed were applying for student visas. Nobody our age!
Within a couple of minutes, a young lady came and asked us if we had all our paperwork and had we done it ourselves or used a company.
She then took it away whilst we sat and waited in the waiting area.
5 minutes later, she asked us to go through to a booth where we stood at a counter as she asked a few questions about if we were applying as a couple or as individuals.
We had already made it clear, as it was a family appointment, but the fact that we had one joint bank account and all the other accounts/finances were in our individual names, seemed to throw her a little.
Anyway, quickly sorted then asked to return to the waiting area.
10–15 minutes later, called through to the booth again and signed the declaration etc., given a printout/invoice with our tracking number and asked to move to another booth for our photographs to be taken.
These were quickly taken and we were directed back to reception to pay the bill.
All in all, a very smooth process. Now we wait! 🤞”
Questions and Answers
Q: “I’m struggling with the process and based in Scotland. Would you be open to helping me in person?”
A: “We’re actually based in Teesside, not Scotland. We’re not yet successful with the visa, but happy to help via Messenger if you’d like.”
Q: “Did you do the application yourself?”
A: “Yes, we did all the paperwork ourselves without using a company.”
Comments
“We did our NLVs ourselves too—2.5 years ago—and have been living in Spain since January 2023. It’s a great life here and the best thing we’ve done. Hoping your visa comes through quickly!”
“We were quick in Edinburgh too. It took about ten weeks to get the NLV, but we were allowed to keep our passports to enable travel during processing. Good luck!”
“We also applied through Edinburgh with the help of a company. It was smooth and took exactly 4 weeks from the end of January to approval.”
“We followed the same process in Edinburgh and have been in Almería province for a few months now. Getting the NLV was easy compared to the ongoing nightmare of getting our TIE cards!”
Conclusion
Applying for the Spain Non Lucrative Visa through the BLS office in Edinburgh appears to be a relatively smooth and organized process. Whether applicants used a service provider or handled the process independently, the experience was largely positive. Key takeaways include:
- Arriving early is helpful.
- Be prepared for minor confusion if your finances are split between individual and joint accounts.
- The process from arrival to completion at the BLS center is quick and efficient.
- Processing times vary but have ranged from 4 to 10 weeks.
- Some applicants were allowed to keep their passports for travel during processing.
Completing the paperwork yourself is entirely possible, as shown by multiple members who successfully navigated the process without legal assistance.
Watch “Spain Non Lucrative Visa: DIY or Get Help?”
Disclaimer:
Disclaimer: The content of this article is based on personal experiences and contributions shared by members of the Spainguru community. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified expert for guidance specific to your situation.
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